1 2026:CGHC:5688 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR MCRC No. 791 of 2026 1 - Sukhnath Bhagat S/o Late Dhansai Ram Aged About 40 Years R/o Village - Dodakachaura, P.S. And District - Jashpur (C.G.) ... Applicant versus 1 - The State Of Chhattisgarh Through SHO, P.S. Jashpur, District - Jashpur (C.G.) ... Respondent For Applicant : Mr. Rishikant Mahobia, Adv. For Respondent/State : Mr. Anish Tiwari, Dy. G.A. Hon'ble Shri Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal Order On Board 02/02/2026 1. The applicant has preferred this first bail application under Section 483 of Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita Act, 2023 for grant of regular bail as he is arrested in connection with Crime No.02/2025, registered at Police Station – Jashpur, District- Jashpur (C.G.) for offence punishable under Section 103(1) of BNS, 2023. 2. As per the prosecution’s case, it is alleged that on 02.01.2025, the applicant had throttled the neck of the deceased in front of Sudhir Minj Kirana Store, due to which HEERA LAL SAHU Digitally signed by HEERA LAL SAHU Date: 2026.02.03 10:53:47 +0530 2 the deceased died. Based on this, offence has been registered against the present applicant. 3. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the crime in question. He further submits that there are a total of 18 listed witnesses in this case, out of which 5 have been examined, who have not supported the case of the prosecution. Eyewitness, namely Sudhir Minj (PW-1), also does not support the case of the prosecution and has turned hostile. The applicant is in jail since 03.01.2025, and the trial is likely to take time to be finalized. Therefore, it is prayed that the applicant may be enlarged on bail. 4. Per contra, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the State opposes the bail application and submits that some important witnesses have yet to be examined; therefore, at this stage, looking to the gravity of the offence, the applicant may not be released on bail. 5. I have heard learned Counsel appearing for the parties and perused the material available on record. 6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and overall evidence collected by the prosecution against the applicant, and also looking to the gravity of the offence, at this stage, without commenting on the merits of the case, I am not inclined to release the applicant on bail. Accordingly, the bail application filed under Section 483 of BNSS, 2023, is rejected. 7. However, considering the fact that the applicant is in jail since 03.01.2025, and out of 18 witnesses, only 5 witnesses have been examined till date, the concerned trial Court is directed to expedite the trial and to ensure that the trial is 3 concluded as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of 4 months from receipt of a copy of this order. 8. Office is directed to sent a certified copy of this order to the trial Court concerned for necessary information and compliance forthwith. Sd/- (Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal) Judge H.L. Sahu